Windshield wiper device

ABSTRACT

A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, wherein neighbouring ends of said longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connecting piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein the oscillating arm is pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis near one end, with the special feature that the connecting device comprises at least two parts provided with protrusion/hole features for detachably connecting the parts together, wherein the first part is retained onto the wiper blade and wherein the second part has an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section at the location of its connection to said first part, wherein each leg of said U-shaped cross-section is allowed to bend outwardly upon insertion of the oscillating arm into said second part for connecting said first and second parts together through a snapping operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a windscreen wiper device comprising anelastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper bladeof a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with awindscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinalgrooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apartlongitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, whereinneighbouring ends of said longitudinal strips are interconnected by arespective connecting piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises aconnecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein said oscillating armis pivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis nearone end.

2. Related Art

Such a windscreen wiper device is generally known. This prior artwindscreen wiper device is designed as a “yokeless” wiper device,wherein no use is made of several yokes pivotally connected to eachother, but wherein the wiper blade is biassed by the carrier element, asa result of which it exhibits a specific curvature.

In practice it has become apparent that, during use of the knownwindscreen wiper device, high forces are exerted on the connectionbetween the connecting device and the oscillating arm. As a consequencethereof the wiper blade may get loose from the oscillating arm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a windscreen wiper device,wherein the connecting device and the oscillating arm are connected inan improved manner, using a minimum of parts.

A windscreen wiper device of the type referred to in the introduction isdistinguished according to the invention in that the connecting devicecomprises at least two parts provided with protrusion/hole means fordetachably connecting the parts together, wherein the first part isretained onto the wiper blade and wherein the second part has an atleast substantially U-shaped cross-section at the location of itsconnection to said first part, wherein each leg of said U-shapedcross-section is allowed to bend outwardly upon insertion of theoscillating arm into said second part for connecting said first andsecond parts together through a snapping operation.

Preferably, each leg of the U-shaped cross-section is bendable between afirst position, wherein the first and second parts are connectedtogether through a snapping operation upon insertion of the oscillatingarm into the second part, and a second position, wherein the first andsecond parts are released from each other upon removing the oscillatingarm from the second part. In other words, sliding the oscillating arminto the second part of the connecting device results in the legs of theU-shaped cross-section being bend outwardly. As a result the first andthe second parts of the connecting device are automatically snapped,that is clipped onto each other, using the protrusion/hole means . Bothparts are automatically released from each other by sliding theoscillating arm off the second part of the connecting device.

In one preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordancewith the invention the first part is provided with opposite abuttingsurfaces for abutting against the legs of the U-shaped cross-section,wherein a protrusion extends laterally outwardly from each leg of theU-shaped cross-section into a hole provided on an abutting surfaceabutting against a respective leg . In the alternative or in additionthereto, the first part is provided with opposite abutting surfaces forabutting against the legs of the U-shaped cross-section, wherein aprotrusion extends laterally inwardly from each abutting surface into ahole provided on a leg abutting against a respective abutting surface.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention the second part is positioned at least substantiallywithin the first part.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention the first part comprises engaging membersmade integral therewith for engaging around the longitudinal sides ofthe longitudinal strips that face away from each other. In other words,the engaging members each form a groove for introducing the longitudinalstrips therein, so that the first part of the connecting device isfirmly retained onto the wiper blade. In order to enhance the retentionthereof the engaging members may be welded, soldered, brazed or glued tothe longitudinal strips.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention the second part comprises at least one resilient tongueengaging in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in the oscillatingarm, wherein the resilient tongue is rotatable along a hinge axisbetween an outward position retaining the wiper blade onto theoscillating arm and an inward position releasing the wiper blade fromthe oscillating arm. Particularly, the counterforce exerted by theoscillating arm on the resilient tongue engages at a point locatedbehind the hinge axis, seen in the direction of the force exerted on thewiper blade. In other words, the moment of force ensures in a naturalway that the resilient tongue is forced automatically in its outwardposition, that is its position retaining the wiper blade onto theoscillating arm.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention the hinge axis is located near an outeredge of the joint part.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention the hole has a closed circumference . In thealternative, the hole has an open circumference.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention the windscreen wiper device is providedwith first and second retaining means for retaining the connectingdevice onto the oscillating arm, wherein the first retaining meanscomprises the at least one resilient tongue engaging in thecorrespondingly shaped hole, and wherein the second retaining meanscomprise at least one protrusion provided on the first part engaging theoscillating arm. Particularly, the protrusion engages into acorrespondingly shaped hole with a closed circumference provided on theoscillating arm. More in particular, the protrusion engages into acorrespondingly shaped hole with an open circumference provided on alongitudinal side of the oscillating arm. Even more in particular, theprotrusion engages into a correspondingly shaped recess provided on theoscillating arm.

THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference tofigures illustrated in a drawing, wherein

FIG. 1 is a perspective, schematic view of a preferred embodiment of awindscreen wiper device according to the invention;

FIG. 2A-2C show various successive steps for fitting the connectingdevice and the oscillating arm of FIG. 1 together;

FIG. 3A-3B are perspective, schematic views of the first and the secondparts of the connecting device of FIG. 2A, seen from beneath and fromabove, respectively;

FIG. 4 refers to a perspective, schematic view of the free end of theoscillating arm of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 5A-5B show a perspective, schematic views of the first part of theconnecting device and the free end of the oscillating arm in accordancewith another preferred embodiment, seen from above, respectively; and

FIG. 6A-6B is a perspective, schematic views of the first part of theconnecting device and the free end of the oscillating arm in accordancewith yet another preferred embodiment, seen from above, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a windscreen wiper device 1 of the “yokeless” typeaccording to the invention. The windscreen wiper device is built up ofan elastomeric wiper blade 2 , in the longitudinal sides of whichopposing longitudinal grooves 3 are formed, and of longitudinal strips 4made of spring band steel, which are fitted in the longitudinal grooves3. The strips 4 form a flexible carrier element for the rubber wiperblade 2 , as it were, which is thus biased in a curved position (thecurvature in operative position being that of a windscreen to be wiped).Neighboring ends of strips 4 are interconnected on either side of thewindscreen wiper device 1 by means of connecting pieces 6 functioning asclamping members. In this embodiment, the connecting pieces 6 areseparate constructional elements , which may be form-locked ( “positivelocking” or “having positive fit”) as well as force-locked to the endsof strips 4. In another preferred variant, the connecting pieces 6 arein one piece with the strips 4 made of spring band steel. In the lattercase the connecting pieces form transverse bridges for the strips 4 , asit were. Possibly, a spoiler 5 is furthermore provided.

The windscreen wiper device 1 is furthermore built up of a connectingdevice 7 of plastic material for an oscillating wiper arm 8. The wiperarm 8 is finalized by an extension (without an adapter). Connectingdevice 7 consists of a first part 7′ and a second part 7″ detachablyconnected together, wherein the first part 7″ is retained onto thewiperblade 2 and wherein the second part 7″ is positioned within thefirst part 7′. The first part 7′ has a U-shaped cross-section andcomprises clamping members that are integral therewith, which engageround longitudinal sides of the strips 4 that face away from each other,as a result of which the connecting device 7 is firmly attached to theunit consisting of wiper blade 2 and strips 4. The oscillating wiper arm8 is pivotally connected to the connecting device 7 about a pivot axisnear one end, and that in the following manner.

With reference to FIG. 2 the second part 7″ comprises two cylindricalprotrusions 10 extending outwards on either side of the second part 7″(FIG. 2 a). These protrusions 10 pivotally engage in identically shapedcylindrical holes 11 of the part 7′ (FIG. 2 b). After the second part 7″is placed into the first part 7′ (with play) by hand, the free end 9 ofthe oscillating arm 8 is inserted into the second part 7″ (FIG. 2 b). Asa consequence thereof each leg 12 of the U-shaped cross-section of thesecond part 7″ is allowed to bend outwardly resulting in a click or snapconnection between both parts 7′ and 7″ (FIG. 2 c). The protrusions 10act as bearing surfaces at the location of a pivot axis in order topivot the second part 7″ (and the oscillating wiper arm 8 attachedthereto) about the pivot axis near one end 9 of the arm 8. Theprotrusions 10 are preferably in one piece with the second part 7″ ; inthe alternative, the protrusions 10 are part of a single pivot pinperpendicular to the connecting device 7. The connecting device 7 may beequipped with a cover or cap in order to obtain an aesthetic appearancethereof, to avoid sharp edges and to provide protection against UV-lightetcetera.

Referring to FIGS. 3 a and 4 , the second part 7″ comprises a resilienttongue 13 extending inwardly, while the oscillating arm 8 has anidentically shaped hole 14 with a closed circumference at the locationof its connection to the second part 7″, so that the tongue 13 engagesin the hole 14 (FIG. 4). While mounting the oscillating wiper arm 8 intothe second part 7′ , the resilient tongue 13 is initially pushed outagainst a spring force and then allowed to spring back into the hole 14,thus snapping, that is clipping the resilient tongue 13 into the hole14. This is a so-called bayonet-connection. As can be seen from FIG. 3a, the second part 7″ is provided with a channel-like section 15 forreceiving the free end 9 of the oscillating arm 8.

The resilient tongue 13 on the second part 7″ and the hole 14 in theoscillating arm 8 are meant for retaining the connecting device 7 ontothe oscillating arm 8 and are therefore called “first retaining means”.However, in case the first retaining means would dysfunction, forexample when the resilient tongue 13 would not properly fit into thehole 14 , the second part 7″ and the first part 7′ connected theretowould be able to move relative to the oscillating arm 8 in longitudinaldirection of the wiper blade 2. In order to avoid the wiper blade 2 fromcoming loose, with all negative consequences involved, second retainingmeans are provided for. The second retaining means consist of anupwardly extending protrusion 16 on said first part 7′ cooperating witha second hole 17 having a closed circumference in the oscillating arm 8(FIGS. 3 b and 4). The protrusion 16 may also be called a cam.

FIGS. 5A and 5B refer to another preferred embodiment, whereinalternative second retaining means are shown in the sense that the firstpart 7′ comprises an upwardly extending protrusion or cam 18 cooperatingwith a notch 19 at the location of a longitudinal edge of theoscillating arm 8. The notch 19 has opposite stop surfaces 20 ,21 sothat the protrusion 18 in assembled position is present between the stopsurfaces 20, 21.

In FIGS. 6A and 6B yet another preferred embodiment is shown, wherein anupwardly extending protrusion or cam 22 on the first part 7′ cooperateswith a recess 23 at the location of a longitudinal edge of theoscillating arm 8. The recess 23 is provided with opposite stop surfaces24 ,25 for accommodating the protrusion 18 between these stop surfaces24 ,25 in assembled position.

For mounting or dismounting the connecting device 7 onto or from theoscillating arm 8, the second part 7″ and thus the free end 9 of theoscillating arm 8 connected thereto is pivoted relative to the firstpart 7′ (FIGS. 2A through 2C). While carrying out the pivot movement theprotrusion or cam 16,18,22 is no longer in line with the hole 17,19 orthe recess 23 and cannot mutually cooperate any longer, so that thesecond part 7″ and the first part 7′ attached thereto can be releasedfrom the oscillating arm 8. This can, of course, only be done when alsothe resilient tongue 13 in all embodiments is released from the hole 14.

The invention is not restricted to the variants shown in the drawing,but it also extends to other embodiments that fall within the scope ofprotection.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A windscreen wiper device comprising anelastic, elongated carrier element, an elongated wiper blade of aflexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen tobe wiped and includes opposing longitudinal grooves on longitudinalsides thereof, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of thecarrier element are disposed, wherein neighboring ends of saidlongitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connecting piece,which windscreen wiper device further comprises a connecting device foran oscillating arm, wherein said oscillating arm is pivotally connectedto said connecting device about a pivot axis near one end, saidconnecting device including at least two parts provided withprotrusion/hole means for detachably connecting said parts together,wherein said first part is retained onto said wiper blade and whereinsaid second part has an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section atthe location of its connection to said first part, wherein each leg ofsaid U-shaped cross-section is bent outwardly in response to insertionof said oscillating arm into said second part for connecting said firstand second parts together through a snapping operation.
 2. A windscreenwiper device according to claim 1, wherein each leg of said U-shapedcross-section is bendable between a first position, wherein said firstand second parts are connected together through a snapping operationupon insertion of the oscillating arm into said second part, and asecond position, wherein said first and second parts are released fromeach other upon removing the oscillating arm from said second part.
 3. Awindscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said first part isprovided with opposite abutting surfaces for abutting against the legsof the U-shaped cross-section, and wherein a protrusion extendslaterally outwardly from each leg of the U-shaped cross-section into ahole provided on an abutting surface abutting against a respective leg.4. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the secondpart is positioned at least substantially within said first part.
 5. Awindscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said first partcomprises engaging members made integral therewith for engaging aroundthe longitudinal sides of the longitudinal strips that face away fromeach other.
 6. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, whereinsaid second part comprises at least one resilient tongue engaging in acorrespondingly shaped hole provided in the oscillating arm, and whereinsaid resilient tongue is rotatable along a hinge axis between an outwardposition retaining the wiper blade onto the oscillating arm and aninward position releasing the wiper blade from the oscillating arm.
 7. Awindscreen wiper device according to claim 6, wherein said resilienttongue is forced in the outward position under the influence of a momentin case a force is exerted on the wiper blade in a direction away fromthe oscillating arm.
 8. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 7,wherein a counterforce exerted by the oscillating arm on the resilienttongue engages at a point located behind the hinge axis, seen in thedirection of the force exerted on the wiper blade.
 9. A windscreen wiperdevice according to claim 6, wherein said hole has a closedcircumference.
 10. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 1,wherein said windscreen wiper device is provided with first and secondretaining means for retaining said connecting device onto saidoscillating arm, wherein said first retaining means comprises said atleast one resilient tongue engaging in a correspondingly shaped hole,and wherein said second retaining means comprise at least one protrusionprovided on the first part engaging the oscillating arm.
 11. Awindscreen wiper device according to claim 10, wherein said protrusionengages into a correspondingly shaped hole with a closed circumferenceprovided on the oscillating arm.
 12. A windscreen wiper device accordingto claim 10, wherein said protrusion engages into a correspondinglyshaped hole with an open circumference provided on a longitudinal sideof the oscillating arm.
 13. A windscreen wiper device according to claim10, wherein said protrusion engages into a correspondingly shaped recessprovided on the oscillating arm.